ALL BLACKS

William Stuart Scott Freebairn 

   “Stewie” first learned his football at Lytton Street School and usually played anywhere in the forwards. At Feilding Agricultural High School he played as a forward or inside back and in his fourth year was in the Second XV. On leaving school in 1949 he joined the Feilding Club and played as a forward in the fourth grade team. He had his first experience as a three-quarter in 1950-1951 as a member of the third grade team. Promotion to the senior team followed in 1952 and he justified the confidence placed him by representing Manawatu on seven occasions including the match against the visiting Australians.

1953 however, was the year in which “Stewie’s” name became a well-known one throughout New Zealand. Before the trials to select the team to tour the British Isles “Stewie’s” chances of being an All Black were not though to be very bright. However, his play was so outstanding in the early trials that he was selected for the North Island team to play the South Island, and for the final trials in Wellington.

Confidence in “Stewie’s” ability was not misplaced, and to the delight of his club and the people of Feilding “Stewie” became a member of the 1953/1954 All Blacks to tour the British Isles. “Stewie” played fourteen games on tour and was considered unlucky not to have played in at least one test.

“Stewie” on his return in 1954 concentrated on his studies, and his only first-class game that year was for the Centurions against Wellington. He played thirteen first-class games in 1955, seventeen in 1956, including a game for a North Island XV against a New Zealand XV, and at least sixteen in 1957, including the final trials in Wellington, and for the North Island in the inter-island game.

Stuarts playing record:
Manawatu 77 games
Manawatu/Horowhenua 6 games
Trials 9 games
North Island 3 games
A North Island XV 1 game
Centurions 2 games
All Blacks 14 games
TOTAL 112 games

Kevin Eveleigh

Kevin is our second All Black and joined the yellows in 1970. He commenced his representative career in the top grade in 1969 and from that day was the favorite of Manawatu crowds, in particular because of his non-stop play as a very fast flanker with a devastating tackle. He played in his first New Zealand trial in 1973 and in 1974 was selected for the All Black tours of Australia and Ireland.

The highlights of his All Black career was the South African tour of 1976 and his performance in the second test was one to be remembered – indeed he was awarded a trophy by a national newspaper for the most outstanding player on the whole tour. His fourth tour was to France in 1977 but injury restricted his opportunities.
On the Manawatu scene Kevin was captain of the victorious Ranfurly Shield team in the 1977-1978 defences and with his superb fitness was an inspiration to the team.

Kevins playing record:
Manawatu 107 games
Manawatu/Horowhenua 2 games
North Island 2 games
NZ Trials 7 games
All Blacks 30 games (including 4 tests)
TOTAL 148 games